Mistake #2: Measuring your progress by weight, not by inches. so true, I know many of you long time juddders, telling us newbies to messure!

When you exercise, you displace fat with lean muscle. So losing 10 pounds could mean that you’ve actually lost 16-17 pounds of fat, but gained 6-7 pounds of lean muscle.

Since muscle is denser (i.e. it takes up less space per pound), you’re likely to lose inches and pant sizes faster than pounds.

And here’s a bonus. Muscle tissue burns more calories per day than fat tissue. So increasing your muscle mass also raises your metabolism. That means you burn more calories while at rest!

Mistake #3: Doing the same exercise routine over and over.

When you flex the same muscles the same way every time you workout, your body recognizes it as a “routine”. It becomes more efficient and hits a plateau. So you see diminished returns.

By contrast, when you challenge your body with different exercises each week, you burn more calories and get more overall benefit. You can also get this benefit by changing the order of exercises.

When your body never knows what type of activity you’re doing next, it can’t get efficient.

That’s why – in “Fit Forever In 30 Minutes” – Maria shows you a new exercise circuit each week. After the first four weeks, you can rotate through those four circuits.

Mistake #4: Trying to stick with a boring routine.

When exercise is boring, you’re more likely to quit. This is another reason to change your routine each week, or mix up the order of exercises. It’s also the reason Maria gives you a new routine each week.

Mistake #5: Not working your legs enough

The best way to burn calories is to exercise your biggest muscle group: your legs and gluteal (butt) muscles. For example, lunges, squats, and jumping jacks.

So if your workout mostly consists of moving your arms, you’re not getting the maximum benefit. This is why Maria’s workouts include lots of leg movement.

Mistake #6: Overreliance on a gym

Some people have the discipline to visit the gym 3 times per week, regardless of circumstances. But what happens when there’s a thunderstorm or ice on the roads?

What happens when you’re traveling? What happens when you’re sick and contagious? Or for whatever reason you don’t feel like going out?

Exercising with minimal equipment gives you the greatest flexibility. That’s why Maria shows you how to get a full body workout with just a set of dumbbells. If you have a jump rope or stability ball, that’s even better… but they’re not required.

Mistake #7: Resting for too long between exercises

Breathing hard indicates that your heart rate is high. The faster your heart rate, the more calories you burn, and the higher your afterburn. What’s afterburn?

It’s the increase in calories you burn while at rest after your workout. The afterburn can last from 3 to 14 hours. That’s why physically active people stay leaner. Their metabolism runs higher after physical activity.

To increase your metabolism after exercise, do more demanding exercises, and take shorter rests between exercises.

Maria’s routines create a huge afterburn for a small investment of time. The Week 3 routine, in particular, consists of interval training where you go directly from one exercise to the next, with no rest in between until you’ve completed the set.

Mistake #8: Doing exercises with poor form.

There are two downsides to poor form. First, the muscles you’re trying to work don’t get the full benefit. Second, you could be injuring yourself. What’s an example of poor form?

Many people fail to keep their backs straight when doing pushups.

This is why Maria shows you how to do pushups with your weight on your knees instead of your feet. She also gives you safety tips like these:

Instead of waiting for your workout, seize opportunities to burn calories during your everyday routine. Here are some examples:

• Carry heavy groceries a few blocks.
• When unloading your car, carry two bags at a time instead of one.
• Chase your dog.
• Help friends move furniture.
• Park on the far side of parking lots, so you have to walk further.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Walk or bicycle instead of driving.

Thanks for the info! I it! I think too many people make excuses as to why they can't work out and this shows that you can do it anywhere at anytime, for even a short amount of time. It is a great benefit to everyone!

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“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and it may become necessary from time to time to give a stupid or misinformed beholder a black eye." - Miss Piggy